Time locking apparatus



April 2, 1963 J. WEIZER 3,083,562

TIME LOCKING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,2 m FIGJINYENTOR. JOSEPH WEIZER BY M u SQE/QQ/ ATTORNEY J. WEIZER TIME LOCKINGAPPARATUS A ril 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1961 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH WEIZER ATTORNEY lice $383,552 Ti /1E LGCKING APPARATUS .losephWeizer, 1&2 Fnrrey Lane, Havertown, Pa. Filed Get. 2, 1961, Ser. No,142,193 '7 Eaims. (Cl. 7l27l) This invention relates to a time lockingapparatus, and more particularly, to a selectively adjustable lock for adoor whereby said door may be opened without a key only during apredetermined time interval.

There is a need for a time operated locking device adapted to be mountedin the door frame for use in homes, ofrices, stores, and the like. Thetime looking apparatus should be of a nature so that a person may closea door and adjust the timing mechanism so that the door Will he latchedat a predetermined time and unlatched at a predetermined time to allparties except those who have a key for the locking mechanism on thedoor. For examplc, a person may set the time mechanism so that the doorwill become latched at 11 oclock in the evening and unlatched at 7oclock in the morning. This will enable such person to be performingother duties or functions at a remote point from the door when the doorwill automatically be latched. However, at all times the door may beopened by any authorized person having a key for the locking mechanismon the door.

In order to accomplish the desirable objects of the present invention, asolenoid operator is provided for the cross slide which selectivelyobstructs the pivotable path of the latching member projecting beyondthe periphery of a pivotably mounted door. The solenoid operator isinterconnected with the cross slide by means of a toggle mechanism whichis designed so as to have certain links slightly above center therebypreventing forceful reciprocation f the cross slide by unauthorizedpersons.

The timing mechanism which selectively couples electricity to thesolenoid operator of the cross slide may be disposed in any convenientcentral location. A plurality of doors may be controlled by a singletiming mechanism. This feature facilitates use of the present inventionin structures having more than one door and obviates the necessity forphysically latching each door. The latching member which is adapted tomove in an arcuate path need not be of the type which may bereciprocated in response to a key operated mechanism. Thus, the presentinvention may be utilized on doors where it is intended to prevent entrywithin the predetermined set time interval. Alternatively, the latchmember may be of the type responsive to rotation of the doorknob on adoor and responsive to a key operated mechanism on one side of the doorin the locked disposition of the latching member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel time lookingapparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a time lockingapparatus wherein a latching member on a door will be restrained againstpivotable movement during a predetermined set time interval therebypreventing pivotable movement of the door during said interval.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a time lockingapparatus which is adapted for use in homes, stores, and the like.

it is another object of the present invention to provide a time lockingapparatus adapted to lock a door during a predetermined set timeinterval to all persons except authorized persons having a key capableof causing movement of a latching member to a position wherein thelatching member is not obstructed by a cross slide.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anelectrically operated member interconnected with a cross slide by meansof a toggle mechanism having links slightly above center in an activedisposition of the cross slide.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation View of a portion of a door frame and adoor incorporating the time locking apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 inFIGURE 1.

FlGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the elements in aninactive disposition.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the switch tripping elements mountedon a dial indicated in phantom.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a time locking apparatus designatedgenerally as 19.

The time locking apparatus includes a door frame 12 having a door 14pivotably mounted in the door frame opening by means of hinges, notshown. A time lock mechanism designated generally as 16 is provided toselectively prevent pivotal movement of the door 14. The time lockmechanism 16 includes a casing 13 within which a clock mechanism isprovided. The clock mechanism, per se, is of conventional constructionand forms no part of the present invention. The clock mechanismcooperates with elements to interrupt the flow of current from a sourcethrough electrical conduit 2%) to electrical conduit 22.

The time lock mechanism 16 also includes a solenoid 24 which is coupledto one end of the wires of the electrical conduit 22. The solenoid 24 ismounted on a housing 26. The housing 25 is rigidly secured to the doorframe 12 by screws or any other equivalent structure. The solenoid 24 isprovided with a reciprocably mounted plunger 28 which moves upwardly tothe position illustrated in FIGURE 4 when the solenoid 24 is coupled toa source of electrical energy.

A pair of links 3t; have one end pivotably secured to the lowermost endof the plunger 28. The links 30 are formed so that their end remote fromthe plunger 28 forms a bifurcation. A link 32. has one end pivotablysecured to a side portion of the housing -26. The other end of link 32and one end of link 34 are disposed in the bifurcation formed by thelinks 39 and are pivotably secured thereto by means of a pivot pin 33.The other end of link 34 is pivotably secured to a flat cross slide 36.

The cross slide 36 is reciprocably disposed Within a channel between aplate member 38 and a stack of discs 4! The plate member 38 is removablysecured to the discs 4% by screws. The number of the discs 40 may beincreased or decreased as desired so as to accommodate various types oflatching members and so that cross slide will be properly positioned sothat it may be reciprocated by the toggle mechanism formed by the links30, 32 and 34. In the active position of the cross slide 36, the pivotpin 33 is slightly above center so that pressure exerted on the crossslide 35 in attempt to move the same to the disposition illustrated inFIGURE 3 meets with increasing resistance. As shown more clearly inFIGURE 4, a leaf spring 42 is fixedly secured to the housing 26 andpositioned so as to bias a reduced diameter portion 44 on the plunger 28to the disposition illustrated in FIGURE 3. When the plunger 28 reachesthe upper limit of its travel as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the spring 42is slightly tensioned. The bias of the spring 42 assists in the movementof the plunger 28'to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 and assuresrapid response of the plunger 28.

A lock 46 is removably secured to one surface of the door 14in aposition so that a reciprocal latch member 48 may. entera recess formedby the plate member 38' and discs 40in-theclosed disposition of the door14 as ill'u's tratedmore clearly in FIGURE 2. As illustrated, the lock46 is provided with a manually rotatable knob 50 which causesreciprocation of the latch member 48. Also, the lock '46 isprovided witha key operated mechanism S I 'Which may cause reciprocation of the latchmember 48; If desired, the door 14 may be provided with doorknobs whichcause reciprocation of latch member 48, with the key responsivemechanism 51 being disposed within one of the doorknobs. V

p The casing 18 is provided with a pivotable cover 52. andmay'be'located at any desired point remote from the solenoid 24. Thecasing 18"contains an electrically op,- er'ated'clock mechanism'which,per se, form's'no part of the present invention. The clock mechanism isprovided with a dial 54 which'may be rotated manually. The clockmechanism also includes a pointer 55on one face of the dial 54. The dial54 is provided with indicia including two sets of numbers from one totwelve. Appropriate indicia will also be provided to indicate morning,noon and night on the dial juxtaposed to the two sets of numerals. I

A rotatably mounted switch arm 56 is provided for actuation of theswitch 57. The switch arm 56 is mounted for pivot'able movement betweenanolf and an on position. A pair of'indicators 58 and 60 are removablyand adjustably secured to the periphery of the dial54; one of theindicators, such as indicator 58, will be provided to indicate thelgckin'g of the latch member 48. The other indicator, such as indicator60, will be provided'with indicia'jto indicate the unlocking of thelatch member 48.

Asshown more clearly in FIGURE 5, the indicators 58 and 60 will beretained on the periphe'ryof the dial 54 by'means of a setscrew; Theindicator 58 is provided with a lug 62 which will contact a trip finger64 on the switch arm 56 as it passes thereby. The switcharm' 56 is"proyide'dwith a'second trip finger 68 radially inwardly of thetrip'fifiger64. The indicator 60 is provided with a lug 66'adapftedtoengagethe trip, finger68. I p

The operation of the present invention is as follows: It'fwill beassumed that the time locking apparatus of the present invention ismounted in the door frame of a private residence. The owner willfirstrotate the dial 54 clockwise until the pointer- 55 indicates thecorrect time sucli as 9:00 pm. Thereafter; the owner will adjust theposition of "the indicators '58 and'60 with respect to the two sets ofnumerals: Thus, the owner may position indi caters 58 soth'at'the doorwillbe locked at 11:00 pm, Also, the owner'may set the indicator 60 sothat the door will become unlocked at 7:00 am. Thereafter, the ownerwill move the switch arm 56 to" the on position. Thereafter, the ownermay retire for the evening. As" the dial 54 rotatesin a clockwisedirection in res onse to the" clock mechanism, the lug 62 will engagetrip finger 64 thereby rotating the. switch arm 56 in a clock wisedirection in FIGURES 3 and 5. Such rotation causes the switch 57to'couple electricity tov the solenoid 24. Also,fsuch rotationenablesthe lug 62 to move beyond th trip finger; Th coupling ofelectrical potential to the solenoid 24 causes the plunger 28 to movefrom the positionillilstrated in FIGURE 3 to the position illus-' tIatdinIFI GURES .1 and 4-. In this position'of the plunger 28, the crossslide 36. is reciprocated to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 andthe 'pivot ,pin' 33 is slightly above a line extending through the pinsat the ends or links 32"a1id 34 remote from the pin 33;

ln theactivepositior i of the cross slide '36 as illustrated in 2, thecross slide 36 obstructs the path of the latch-member Therefore, thepivotable movement of thedoorinthe direction of the arrow illustrated inFIG- URE 2 is obstructed. Thus, entry through the door 14 is 4 preventedafter 11:00 pm. unless such person has a key capable of actuating thekey mechanism 51. The key mechanism 51 is capable of reciprocating thelatch member 48 inwardly so that it may clear the end of the cross slide36.

As the dial 54 continues to rotate, the lug 66 will cam against the tripfinger 68 at the predetermined set time, namely 7 a.m. The cammingaction between the lug 66 and the trip finger 68 causes the switch arm'6 to pivot to the off position thereby interrupting the electricalpotential coupled to the solenoid 24. Such interruption of electricalpotential causes the plunger 28 to move downwardly to the positionillustrated in FIGURE 3 under the force of gravity and the bias of thespring42. As the plunger 28 moves downwardly, the toggle mechanismcauses the cross slide 36 to reciprocate to the position illustrated inFIGURE 3 thereby moving out of the arcuate path of the latch member 48when the door 14 is opened. Thereafter, the door 14 may be opened byany; one locating the doorknob, not shown, on the door 14. While'thelock 46 and key mechanism 51 supplements the doorknob on the door 14, itwill be appreciated that the same may be incorporated within thedoorknob if desired. Thus, the latch member 48 could have areciprocatory motion responsive to desired. V While the abovedescription of the manner of operation of the present invention has beendescribed in connection witha private residence, it will be appreciatedthat the samemay be utilized in commercial laundromats, stores, ofiices,etc. The manner in which the apparatus rotation of a doorknob if of thepresent invention is operated permits the casing 18 to be mounted inanyconvenient place. Accordingly, the timing mechanism within casinglScould be con nectedto a plurality'of solenoid operated cross slides on aplurality of doors at various points throughout a build-I ing. Thecomponents within the casing 18 are commer- 'cially available items,which are capable of being designed so as "to be conveniently locatedwithin a single casing which may be mounted at aremote point from thedoor if desired. The simplicity of the elements of the present inventionenable theapparatus of the presentinvention to beeconomically'manufactured so as to provide an ap paratus which may bepriced sufiiciently lowso that it may be purchased by. individual homeowners as wellas the owners of commercial establishments and oflices.Thepresent invention maybe embodied in other spe: cific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the fore going specification as indicating the scope of theinvention;

1 claim; v I I l. A time lock apparatus comprising a door mounted forpivot'able movement in a door frame, a latching mem; ber on said dooradapted to project beyond the periphery ofsaid door, a housing on saiddoor frame, a member mounted in saidhousing for selective reciprocation,one end of said member beingconnected toa toggle mechanism, a crossslide connected to said toggle mechanism and mo'unted for movement to anactive position where in it obstruct s the pivotable pat-hotsaid'latching member thereby preventing pivotable movement of said door,

means biasing said cross slide to an inactive position, and a'timingcontrol means for selectively reciprocating said member at predeterminedtime intervals.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reciprocablymounted member has a longitudinal axis extending in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said crossslide, said timing control means including a solenoid operator in saidhousing for causing reciprocation of said member in a direction so thatsaid cross slide movesto said active position' 3. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said means biasing said cross slide toan inactive position includes a resilent means biasing said membertoward said toggle mechanism.

4. A time lock apparatus comprising a door mounted for pivotablemovement, a latching member on said door adapted to project beyond theperiphery of said door, means supporting a housing adjacent saidlatching member in the closed position of said door, a solenoid withinsaid housing, a plunger having one end extending into said solenoid, theother end of said plunger being connected to one end of a first link, asecond link having one end pivotably secured to said housing, meansmounting a cross slide for reciprocatory movement in said housing sothat said cross slide has one position wherein it is juxtaposed to saidlatching member, a third link having one end pivotably connected to saidcross slide, the second end of each of said links being pivotablysecured together, and a selectively operable timing device forselectively coupling an electrical potential to said solenoid atpredetermined time intervals.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said timing deviceincludes a settable means which automatically couples an electricalpotential to said solenoid, and

a second settable means which automatically interrupts the coupling ofelectrical potential to said solenoid.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including a resilient springbiasing said plunger in a direction away from said solenoid.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said latching member isa portion of a lock mounted on said door, and a key operated mechanismon said door for selectively causing movement of said latching member toa point whereby said latching member will be clear of the end of saidcross slide.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS197,826 Chinnock Dec. 4, 1877 608,319 Carleton Aug. 2, 1898 843,730Wittmann Feb. 12, 1907 1,274,381 Brooks Aug. 6, 1918 2,030,219 MeilinkFeb. 11, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 217,801 Germany Jan. 15, 1910 47,902Sweden Feb. 21, 1918

1. A TIME LOCK APPARATUS COMPRISING A DOOR MOUNTED FOR PIVOTABLEMOVEMENT IN A DOOR FRAME, A LATCHING MEMBER ON SAID DOOR ADAPTED TOPROJECT BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID DOOR, A HOUSING ON SAID DOOR FRAME,A MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR SELECTIVE RECIPROCATION, ONE END OFSAID MEMBER BEING CONNECTED TO A TOGGLE MECHANISM, A CROSS SLIDECONNECTED TO SAID TOGGLE MECHANISM AND MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT TO AN ACTIVEPOSITION WHEREIN IT OBSTRUCTS THE PIVOTABLE PATH OF SAID LATCHING MEMBERTHEREBY PREVENTING PIVOTABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID DOOR,